Rotate your GREENS

[Colorawdo girl]

Someone just posted about spinach.It reminded me that sometimes,because I love spinach so very much,I forget to rotate and have a large variety of greens.
This is because every plant has a small amount of toxicity naturally occurring.If we consume one plant every day,we would build that toxicity up to a large level.
There are so many to choose from usually.I love rainbow chard.When i look at all the colors,I say to myself,I want to look that pretty,so I eat it.Parsley,cilantro,beet greens,dandelion(bitter is super for you) and arugula,and all the dark leafies. I rotate them around often.
My fave-pea sprouts.They are instant energy,instant bliss and instant pick-me-up.

[MrsJ]

Can you make a GS with arugula? Has anybody tried that?

[contessa20]

Mmmmmmmmm arugula! ::drools::
Haven't tried it in a smoothie yet though.

[Colorawdo girl]

Use it alot for Green smoothies. It will need to be balanced for taste as it is very bitter.

[blaque]

Someone just posted about spinach.It reminded me that sometimes,because I love spinach so very much,I forget to rotate and have a large variety of greens.
This is because every plant has a small amount of toxicity naturally occurring.If we consume one plant every day,we would build that toxicity up to a large level.
There are so many to choose from usually.I love rainbow chard.When i look at all the colors,I say to myself,I want to look that pretty,so I eat it.Parsley,cilantro,beet greens,dandelion(bitter is super for you) and arugula,and all the dark leafies. I rotate them around often.
My fave-pea sprouts.They are instant energy,instant bliss and instant pick-me-up.


Great information. Thank you. I love green smoothies but I always make them with the same ingredients. Spinach, strawberries and bananas...time to switch it up!

[*RayRay*]

This is because every plant has a small amount of toxicity naturally occurring.If we consume one plant every day,we would build that toxicity up to a large level.

What do you mean they have a small amount of 'toxicity'? .....like they contain a toxic substance...? Or....that if you eat too much of something you can become allergic......? :confused: confused here!:confused:

[RaeVynn]

Oxilic (sp) acid. All greens have a certain amount of it, and if you eat just one kind of green for an extended period, it can build up. I think it's Nature's way of making sure that grazing mammals move along and sample ALL the lovely greens available, not just eat one variety out of existance!

I think Victoria Boutenko explains it well in her book, Green for Life.

[RawKnitster]

Good point! That is my understanding, too. I don't know where the "toxicity" part comes from. It could be as simple as a build up of certain nutrients??? It makes sense to switch up your greens once in a while. Different greens have different nutrients. Variety is good! I first heard about this idea from a long time raw foodist. She would go on smoothie streaks. At the time her favorite was pear, spinach, and cilantro. She told me sticking with a certain smoothie is okay for 6 weeks or so, but then you really need to change it up.

My favorite is orange, with banana, and/or strawberries. I mix it up with the greens; mostly rainbow chard, spinach, and dinosaur kale. I read having citrus with it helps us utilize the calcium, tastes good, too. :) Kale, parsley, and dandelion greens have about twice as much calcium as spinach or chard. I'm big on trying to pump up the calcium level.

[RawKnitster]

I think Victoria Boutenko explains it well in her book, Green for Life.

One more reason to read it! I have that checked out from the library. Haven't had time to read it through. Maybe this weekend.

[Colorawdo girl]

Yes Victoria explains it well.Shes such an expert on greens.
If I eat kale for many days in a row,and others have had this as well.my skin on my face goes numb a bit. So I am reminded to switch.(oh it goes away)

[SweetTangerine]

Someone just posted about spinach.It reminded me that sometimes,because I love spinach so very much,I forget to rotate and have a large variety of greens.
This is because every plant has a small amount of toxicity naturally occurring.If we consume one plant every day,we would build that toxicity up to a large level.
This is information I know, but I forget as well because I adore spinach. Thanks for the reminder!

[Colorawdo girl]

I am so loving spinach.

[Veronica01]

i find kale is easier to do in smoothies, i like spinach in salad but in a smoothie it gets so grainy

[T-Bird]

What if you have a variety every day?


I usually have 2-3 different greens per day: collard greens, spinach, swiss chard, kale, dandelion, plus of course smaller quantities of herbs such as parsley, dill, cilantro.


I don't usually have each one every day, but 2-3 of the greens, and 1-2 of the herbs.

Is it ok to have the same green continuously at like 4-5 days out of the week?

[czpinky]

What if you have a variety every day?


I usually have 2-3 different greens per day: collard greens, spinach, swiss chard, kale, dandelion, plus of course smaller quantities of herbs such as parsley, dill, cilantro.


I don't usually have each one every day, but 2-3 of the greens, and 1-2 of the herbs.

Is it ok to have the same green continuously at like 4-5 days out of the week?

i have the same question. also, i don't have access to a large variety of organic greens, only kale, spinach, and romaine. is this enough or should i just buy conventional...no i won't be doing that. i just want to make sure i'm getting enough variety...

[ginadj]

See..now...talk like this confuses me!! because if not for so much use of travel and import/export of our food - we would not have a good variety to eat, unless you lived in a warm year round climate - and only because of our modern world now, are we able to feast on all this stuff....I always have such a hard time with this..not really sure why it matters - but I always ponder stuff like this!!